Officer appointed for Rasharkin

Published:11:49Monday 25 January 2016

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SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) has appointed an Agricultural Liaison Officer to work with landowners and the farming community on projects across Northern Ireland, including the proposed Brockaghboy Renewables Connection Project, which would see an overhead transmission line link the Brockaghboy Windfarm, outside Garvagh, to an approved substation at Rasharkin.

A planning application for the project has been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council & Mid Ulster Council. If approved, the scheme which is of strategic importance in Northern Ireland will allow renewable energy produced at Brockaghboy Windfarm to be used in homes and businesses across Northern Ireland; reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

To help navigate landowners through the various stages of the project, SONI has appointed Fergal Keenan as an Agricultural Liaison officer. Fergal has more than 20 years’ experience as a landowner liaison. Fergal was with Wind NI, working with landowners on the siting of medium sized wind turbines. He also worked for Bord Gais, on the largest ever pipeline project carried out in Northern Ireland: “SONI works to develop grid infrastructure to support competition in energy, to promote economic growth and to facilitate renewable energy. Developing the power grid for this area of Northern Ireland carries many benefits and I understand the importance of the landowner and local farmer as part of this process. I am out on the ground and available to meet any landowners who might have questions about the Brockaghboy project, including landowner compensation andwhat access and construction might look like.”

Farmers and landowners requiring information about the scheme, should contact Fergal on 07966930855 or email fergal.keenan@soni.ltd.uk. Landowners can make representations about the project to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council or to Mid Ulster Council.